Severe flood warnings are in place on parts of the east coast of England, with the Environment Agency warning of "extreme danger to life and property".
Severe flood warnings are in place on parts of the east coast of England, with the Environment Agency warning of "extreme danger to life and property".
Environment Secretary Hilary Benn warned there was a serious flooding risk with strong winds and low pressure causing a North Sea tidal surge.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown was chairing an emergency Cobra meeting, as low pressure and strong winds combined to cause a North Sea tidal surge.
Norfolk and Suffolk have six severe flood warnings. Parts of Kent, Essex, North Yorks and Lincs are on alert.
Norfolk and Suffolk have six severe flood warnings. Parts of Kent, Essex, North Yorks and Lincs are on alert.
The Dartford Creek and Thames barriers are set to be closed at 2000 GMT.
The Dartford Creek and Thames barriers are set to be closed at 2000 GMT.
The flood alerts are a response to weather and tide patterns being tracked this week by the Environment Agency and the Met Office.
The flood alerts are a response to weather and tide patterns being tracked this week by the Environment Agency and the Met Office.
Wind speeds of about 50mph are predicted, with tide levels potentially reaching up to 9.5ft (2.89m) above normal sea levels.
'Gravely concerned'
The Met Office said the peak of the storm surge was expected to coincide with low tide, thereby mitigating some of the worst potential effects.
In a brief Commons statement on Thursday afternoon, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said: "A tidal surge of up to 3m [10ft] is making its way down the North Sea which could coincide with peak high tides.
'Act now'
"There is a risk of flood defences being over-topped on the coast and in tidal rivers, especially in East Anglia, particularly the Norfolk Broads and the coast south of Great Yarmouth including Lowestoft, and areas south of this as far as the coast of Kent."
However there are six severe flood warnings, five flood warnings and 22 flood watches nationally, covering North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and the north Kent coast.
FLOOD ALERTS EXPLAINED Severe Flood Warning - Severe flooding is expected. There is extreme danger to life and property. Act now!Flood Warning - Flooding of homes and businesses is expected. Act now! Flood Watch - Flooding of low lying land and roads is expected. Be aware, be prepared, watch out!Source: Environment Agency
The Environment Agency's Simon Hughes said: "We're watching the situation very closely and we're gravely concerned about the scope for some serious flooding."
Wind speeds of about 50mph (80km/h) are predicted, with the storm surge expected to peak early on Friday morning.
There are six severe flood warnings, nine flood warnings and 24 flood watches nationally, covering North Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and the north Kent coast.
The severe warnings in place from Great Yarmouth down to Shingle Street, and on parts of the River Bure and River Yare, carry an Environment Agency alert stating: "Severe flooding is expected. There is extreme danger to life and property. Act now."
The severe warnings in place from Great Yarmouth down to Shingle Street, and on parts of the River Bure and River Yare, carry an Environment Agency alert stating: "Severe flooding is expected. There is extreme danger to life and property. Act now."
Suffolk County Council said it was considering whether to order people in vulnerable areas to leave their homes because of possible flooding, while in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, sandbagging preparations were under way.
Suffolk County Council said it was considering whether to order people in vulnerable areas to leave their homes because of possible flooding, while in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, sandbagging preparations were under way.
Localised flooding
Localised flooding
From the north Kent coast around to Sandwich and Deal, people were being asked to keep an eye on the weather and tides.
From the north Kent coast around to Sandwich and Deal, people were being asked to keep an eye on the weather and tides.
The impact there is expected to be less severe - with predicted tides 5ft (1.5m) above average - but there is still a risk of localised flooding.
The impact there is expected to be less severe - with predicted tides 1.5m (5ft) above average - but there is still a risk of localised flooding.
The Environment Agency warned that any cars parked at Sandwich Quay could be damaged, while emergency planners at Dover District Council are on alert.
The Environment Agency said it had put Dover District Council on alert that any cars parked at Sandwich Quay could be damaged by flood waters.
"We all need to be vigilant," said the agency's Brian Vinall.
"We all need to be vigilant overnight and through tomorrow [Friday] lunchtime as we could see some localised flooding around the north Kent coast," said the agency's Brian Vinall.
The Environment Agency, Met Office, emergency services and council planners will be constantly assessing the tidal and storm situation throughout Thursday evening and Friday morning.
The Environment Agency, Met Office, emergency services and council planners will be constantly assessing the tidal and storm situation throughout Thursday evening and Friday morning.
Large parts of East Anglia were left under water in 1953 when high tides and a storm saw a tidal surge of 3.2m (10ft 6in).
The Environment Agency said it was "much better prepared now", but the Met Office added that it was predicting the highest tide since 1983 in Felixstowe, Suffolk.
For more information on flood risks call the Environment Agency's Floodline on 08459 881188.
Are you in one of the flood areas? How are you preparing? Please use the form below to contact us.
Are you in one of the flood areas? How are you preparing? Please use the form below to contact us.
